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Limit of A Function

This document discusses limits and continuity in calculus. It provides examples of calculating limits of functions as x approaches a value by using the formal epsilon-delta definition of a limit. It also discusses properties of limits, such as limits of sums, products, quotients of functions and compositions of functions. Examples are worked through to demonstrate finding limits and using properties of limits to evaluate more complex expressions.

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Gwylyn Din
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
44 views

Limit of A Function

This document discusses limits and continuity in calculus. It provides examples of calculating limits of functions as x approaches a value by using the formal epsilon-delta definition of a limit. It also discusses properties of limits, such as limits of sums, products, quotients of functions and compositions of functions. Examples are worked through to demonstrate finding limits and using properties of limits to evaluate more complex expressions.

Uploaded by

Gwylyn Din
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 2

Limits and Continuity


Unit 2.1
Limit of a Function
x2 − 4
Consider f ( x) =
x−2
Dom ( f ) = − 2

x2 − 4
f ( x) =
x−2

=
( x − 2 )( x + 2 )
x−2
= x + 2, x  2
6
y
5

4
( 2, 4 )
3

-1 1 2 3 4 5 6
x
-1
f ( x ) = x + 2, x  2
x f ( x) x f ( x)
1.5 3.5 2.5 4.5
1.6 3.6 2.4 4.4
1.7 3.7 2.3 4.3
1.8 3.8 2.2 4.2
1.99 3.99 2.01 4.01
As the values of x gets closer and closer to 2,
either from the left or from the right, f ( x ) gets
closer and closer to 4.
We can make the values of f ( x ) closer to 4
by taking x sufficiently close to 2.

We say that the limit of f ( x ) , as x approaches


2, is 4. In symbols, lim f ( x ) = 4.
x→2
Example 2.1.1
Given f ( x ) = 4 − x 2 , find the following limits.
5
y

1. lim f ( x ) = 4
x →0 3

2. lim f ( x ) = 0
x→2 1

-3 -2 -1 1 2 3
x
-1
Limit of a Function

Let f be a function defined on some open interval


containing a, except possibly at a.

The limit of the function as x approaches a is L,


written as lim f ( x ) = L,
x→a

if for every   0, there exists a   0, such that


if 0  x − a   , then f ( x) − L  .
Proving Limits of a Function

To prove that lim f ( x ) = L.


x→a

i. Verify that f is defined on some open interval


containing a, except possibly at a.
ii. Consider a positive epsilon (  0).
iii. Find an expression for  such that
f ( x ) − L   whenever 0  x − a   .
iv. Show that if 0  x − a   then f ( x ) − L   .
v. Form a conclusion.
Example 2.1.2
Prove using the definition that lim ( 2 x − 1) = 5.
x →3

Preliminary Analysis:
We want  such that if x − 3   then f ( x ) − L   .

( 2 x − 1) − 5 = 2 x − 6 = 2( x − 3) = 2 x − 3  2


Choose  = .
2
Proof.
i. Since the function is a polynomial function,
it is defined on any open interval containing 3.
ii. Let   0.

iii. Choose  = .
2
iv. If 0  x − 3   , then
f ( x) − L = (2 x − 1) − 5 = 2 x − 6 = 2 x − 3  2 = 
v. Therefore, lim ( 2 x − 1) = 5.
x →3
Example 2.1.3
Prove using the definition that lim ( 4 − 3 x ) = 7.
x →−1

Preliminary Analysis.
We want  such that if x + 1   then f ( x ) − L   .

( 4 − 3x ) − 7 = −3 x − 3 = −3 ( x + 1) = 3 x + 1  3


Choose  = .
3
Proof.
i. Since the function is a polynomial function,
it is defined on any open interval containing − 1.
ii. Let   0.

iii. Choose  = .
3
iv. If 0  x + 1   , then
( 4 − 3x ) − 7 = −3 x − 3 = −3 ( x + 1) = 3 x + 1  3 = 
v. Therefore, lim ( 4 − 3 x ) = 7.
x → −1
Challenge!

Given m  0, prove that lim ( mx + b ) = ma + b.


x→a
Theorem

1. lim ( mx + b ) = ma + b
x→a

2. lim x = a
x→a

3. lim c = c
x→a

lim x = 3 lim 2 = 2
x →3 x →−4
Theorem

4. If lim f1 ( x ) = L1 and lim f 2 ( x ) = L2 then


x→a x→a

a. lim ( f1 ( x )  f 2 ( x ) ) = L1  L2
x→a

b. lim ( f1 ( x )  f 2 ( x ) ) = L1  L2
x→a

c. lim ( kf1 ( x ) ) = kL1


x→a

 f1 ( x )  L1
d. lim   = , provided L2  0
x→a  f ( x ) 
 2  L2
Example 2.1.4

Evaluate the following limits.


1. lim ( x − 4 ) = 1 − 4 = −3
x →1

2. lim3 x = 3 ( 5 ) = 15
x →5

3. lim ( 4 x + 6 ) = 4 ( −1) + 6 = 2
x →−1

2x 2 ( 4) 8
4. lim = =
x→4 3 3 3
Theorem

5. If lim f ( x ) = L and n is a positive


x→a

integer then
a. lim ( f ( x ) ) = L
n n
x→a

b. lim f ( x ) = L , if n is even
n n
x→a

and L is positive.
Example 2.1.5
Evaluate the following limits.
1. lim ( x − 2 x + 3 x − 5 ) = 2 − 2 ( 2 ) + 3 ( 2 ) − 5
3 2 3 2

x→2

=8−8+6−5
=1
3 x + 2 3 ( −1) + 2 5
2 2

2. lim = =
x →−1 2 x − 1 2 ( −1) − 1 −3
3. lim x x + 1 = 2 2 + 1 = 2 ( 3) = 6
3 3
x→2
x − 3x
2
0
4. lim  
x →0 2x 0
x ( x − 3)
= lim
x →0 2x
x−3
= lim
x →0 2
−3
=
2
x − 5x + 6
2
0
5. lim  
x→2 x −4
2
0

= lim
( x − 2 )( x − 3)
x → 2 ( x − 2 )( x + 2 )

x−3
= lim
x→2 x + 2

−1
=
4
x −2 0
6. lim
x→4 x − 4
 
0
x −2 x +2
= lim 
x→4 x − 4 x +2
x−4
= lim
x→4
(
( x − 4) x + 2 )
1
= lim
x→4 x +2
1
=
4
h+3−2 0
7. lim  
h →1 h −1 0
h+3−2 h+3+2
= lim 
h →1 h −1 h+3+2

= lim
( h + 3) − 4
h →1
(
( h − 1) h + 3 + 2 )
h −1
= lim
h →1
( h − 1) ( h+3+2 )
h −1
= lim
h →1
( h − 1) ( h+3+2 )
1
= lim
h →1 h+3+2
1
=
4
Required Exercises

Answer Exercises 1.5 in TC7


On page51-53
Check your answers on A-127 to A-128
End of Chapter 2.1

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